Where Did My Money Go?

Does "more month at the end of the paycheck" describe your financial picture? It's a common expression during tough economic times. Unfortunately, it's also a reality for many people.

Smart money management is essential in any economy, and a financial planner can help you get a handle on your finances. If your budget doesn't allow for this luxury, online budgeting tools can make money management a little easier.

Anyone with a computer and Internet access can find numerous budgeting tools online. These easy-to-use resources take the mystery out of "where did all my money go?"

Here are twelve of the best budgeting tools around, arranged alphabetically for your convenience. Some of them are paid services, most of them are free, and all of them make money management fun and easy.

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Billster Screenshot

1. Billster

Billster is a FREE online budgeting tool that lets you organize and track your personal or shared expenses. It's the ideal system if you share your home with a roommate.

Billster is a secure site for transactions that require authentication. The database stores your username and password in encrypted form, and the site will not sell your personal details to third parties.

2. BudgetPulse

BudgetPulse helps you create a budget; track your income and expenses; monitor your spending; and set your savings goals.

There's nothing to download, and the program doesn't sync sensitive account information. Your bank and credit card data is not required, so there is no risk of identity theft.

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BudgetTracker Screenshot

3. BudgetTracker

BudgetTracker is a FREE online budgeting tool, and then some. Record and save expense, income, budget and transaction data. Then tie them together in a calendar that sends reminders to your email address or mobile phone.

BudgetTracker does not link directly to your bank account, so it's a good choice for security-minded users. The software lets you manually enter account data, transactions and balances to keep you on financial track.

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Buxfer Screenshot

4. Buxfer

Buxferis a FREE online resource that specializes in group budgeting. This makes it ideal for roommates and group vacations. Invite contacts to track shared bills, or use the service for your own personal budgeting.

With Buxfer, you have a choice: link the service with your bank account or manually add your account information. Create a budget, pay your bills, track IOUs and plan your financial future with this top-rated budgeting tool.

6. Mint

Mint is known as "the best FREE way to manage your money." This top-rated resource brings all your bank accounts together in one place, which you can access on the web or your mobile phone.

Mint's simple, streamlined application ties all your account information together to give you a better view of the "big picture." Free mobile apps help you track spending when you're on-the-go.

Mint categorizes and updates your information automatically, and it will even suggest ways to save money. Although it does sync bank account information, Mint uses encryption to keep your transactions are safe and secure.

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MoneyStrands Screenshot

7. MoneyStrands

MoneyStrandsis an award-winning money management tool, and it's FREE to join. The online service is designed to help you develop better financial habits.

MoneyStrands has numerous features. It helps you create a budget; tracks your spending; recommends ways to save; and gives you a real-time overview of your financial situation.

Developed for a global audience, MoneyStrands is available for multiple languages and currencies. Mobile apps are available for iPhone.

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Mvelopes Screenshot

8. Mvelopes

Mvelopesis a biblical money management system. The service offers three different membership plans, ranging from $39.60 for a quarterly plan to $189.60 for a 2-year plan.

You can try the service with a FREE TRIAL membership. Mvelopes will give you with a free debt analysis upon request.

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This is a great post with some easy-to-implement ideas! I'll definitely try some of these! :)

frugalfamily 3 years ago from Houston, TX

Wow, what an excellent list! I've used Mint before but it is slow to catch up..sometimes as much as 36 hours which in my life is way too long. I've book marked this one and tweeted it too..super hub!

Annette R. Smith 3 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Hi, Laura! Welcome to HubPages, and thanks for stopping by. I hope this information pointed you to a great budgeting tool to help you stay organized and reach your financial goals.

Annette R. Smith 3 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Hi, Brenda! I appreciate the note on Mint. My husband and I use the paper-and-pencil method, but we're looking for a good online program ... and we heard some good things about this budgeting system. Thanks for spreading the word about my hub!

Hareiana 3 years ago

There is one free budgeting web app that not many know about, a friend told me about it, it works great for personal budgeting and money management and it is as safe as can be because you use it anonymously without giving your personal identity and without giving access to your bank accounts. It's called Out Of The Dark Budgeting at www.myootd.org

Annette R. Smith 3 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Hello, Hareiana! Somehow, your comment got "lost in the mail" and I just found it. Thank you for visiting my page on Online Budgeting Tools. I appreciate the information you shared about Out of the Dark Budgeting. I'll take a look at it this afternoon!

Annette R. Smith 3 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Crown Financial Ministries is offering their Mvelopes budgeting system for FREE in 2012!

jcevans2009 2 years ago from San Antonio, TX

Great budgeting tips in this hub! I had never heard of most of these tools, but I am familiar with Crown Financial Ministries.. Voted up and useful...sharing, too!

ChristyWrites 2 years ago from British Columbia, Canada

What useful tips! I'm glad I saw this on G+ so that I could stop by to read. I vote up and give a share too.

Annette R. Smith 2 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Judith and Christy, I'm so glad you saw my post on Google Plus. I learned a lot during my research for this hub, and I was happy to learn that the Crown tool is now free. Thank you for the votes up and the shares!

CrazedNovelist 2 years ago from Hampton, GA

Totally useful hub, Annette!! I love Mint.com. Though I haven't used it since I switched banks. It did give me some perspective about how much I was spending on certain things. It's totally awesome!!

-Aubrey

Annette R. Smith 2 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Hi, Aubrey! Thank you for sharing your insights on the Mint program. From what I'm hearing, it's an excellent budgeting tool with very high ratings.

Lillee McLoflin 2 years ago from Texas

I just switched jobs and now I am paid monthly instead of bi-weekly and it has taken some getting used to. These tools will definitely help me balance my budget and track my expenses. Thanks!

Annette R. Smith 2 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

Hi, Lillee. My first job (daycare provider/preschool teacher) paid monthly, and managing my budget was always such a challenge. I wish these tools had been available then, and I hope they help you now. Thanks for stopping by!

Dyane99 2 years ago

It seems that YNAB doesn't run online, it's a desktop program. Great roundup of useful online tools for planning a budget and keeping finances under control. I would also recommend https://www.inexfinance.com – it's really awesome for managing your money with simple yet powerful tools.

Annette R. Smith 2 years ago from Orlando, Florida Hub Author

I appreciate the feedback, Dyane99. Thank you for sharing the link to InEx free personal finance software. It appears to have some great money management tools.